Oxidation of non ferrous metal components

A process for treating non-ferrous metal components 12 such as titanium, aluminium, magnesium, zirconium and their alloys. Components are placed into a process chamber 10 at an elevated temperature and biased by a bias power supply 28 so as to have a potential capable of attracting ions. Oxygen 20 is introduced into the chamber at a pressure such that a glow discharge comprising oxygen ions is generated. The process chamber additionally comprises glow discharge ionisation enhancing means 14. Activating the glow discharge ionisation enhancing means increases the charged species density of the glow discharge and the oxygen ions flowing towards and colliding with the surface the component. At least some of the colliding particles diffuse into the component to form oxides therein resulting in a surface having improved wear resistance.